The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 10) held a launch ceremony for the New Chapter for Glass Bottle Recycling, rolling out the Glass Container Recycling Charter and a series of promotional and publicity activities to further raise public awareness on glass bottle recycling.

     Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that the Government is implementing the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Glass Beverage Containers at full steam and has appointed glass management contractors (GMCs) to undertake collection and treatment services for waste glass containers. Two GMCs (see below) have taken over the previous voluntary glass bottle recycling programmes and further expanded their recycling networks. They have also completed setting up and commissioning new treatment facilities and are providing free glass container collection and treatment services across the territory.

     Mr Wong said, "Overall, following the commencement of GMC services, the total amount of waste glass containers collected in 2018 increased by about 45 per cent compared with 2017. With the full provision of services by the two GMCs, the monthly collection amount has been increasing continually over the past few months. The collection amount in the latest month has more than doubled the monthly average in 2017. There has also been a significant growth in the total number of collection points set up across the territory. The number of collection points serving catering premises has tripled while the number serving the residential sector has increased to over 1 500 locations.

     "The GMCs are set to further increase the collection of waste glass containers, with a view to gradually attaining the overall recovery target of 50 000 tonnes a year, or about half of the amount generated. To achieve this target, it is crucial to have the support and participation of the community. To that end, the EPD has launched the Glass Container Recycling Charter, inviting all interested parties to join as our partners to actively take part in and jointly promote glass container recycling. Today, many associations and organisations from the catering and property management sectors have expressed their support and signed the Charter, committing themselves to introducing and promoting the Charter to their members, and encouraging participation."

     To further arouse public awareness of glass bottle recycling, the EPD has designed a new label for the glass bottle recycling bins, also creating a new logo and a new branding to assist the public in recognising the glass bottle recycling bins. A series of promotional and publicity activities will follow.

     The EPD, through open tender, has appointed two GMCs to undertake collection and treatment services for waste glass containers in the regions of Hong Kong Island (including Islands District), Kowloon and the New Territories. The contracts for Hong Kong Island and the New Territories regions were awarded to Baguio Waste Management and Recycling Limited, which commenced in November 2017. The contract for the Kowloon region was awarded to Hong Kong Glass Reborn Limited, which commenced in May 2018. Parties interested in glass container recycling may approach the respective GMCs to arrange free collection services.

     The GMCs are also required under the contracts to arrange gainful reuse and recycling of waste glass containers after proper processing. Currently, the glass materials recovered after processing are mainly used for production of eco-cement and eco-pavers, while some are exported for recycling into new products. The recycled glass materials can also be used as fill materials in various public works projects. These outlets will be able to fully absorb and utilise glass materials recovered locally.

     A spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) today (January 10) reminded residents of public rental housing (PRH) estates to declare truthfully their income and assets.

     A PRH resident, who did not declare her ownership of a domestic property in Hong Kong during the declaration cycle in April 2018, was convicted at the Eastern Magistrates' Court on January 8 and ordered to pay a fine of $40,000.

     In this case, the PRH resident declared during the declaration cycle in April 2018 that she owned a 40 per cent interest in a commercial unit. Subsequent investigation revealed that she had concealed that, during the declaration period, she also owned a domestic property in Hong Kong. The resident was prosecuted by the HD for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance.

     The spokesman said that households should complete their declaration forms accurately, as doing so provides the foundation for the assessment of rent and their eligibility for continuing residence. Before making the declarations, households should read the content and completion guidelines of the declaration forms carefully and compute their income and assets in accordance with the methods specified therein. Otherwise, they may be prosecuted for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for six months) or for neglecting to furnish information as specified in the declaration forms, contrary to Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $25,000 fine and imprisonment for three months). 

     In addition, the HD will take action to recover the undercharged rent incurred due to the inaccurate information. According to the revised "Well-off Tenants Policies" endorsed in December 2016, PRH households with domestic property ownership in Hong Kong will be required to vacate their PRH flats, irrespective of their levels of household income or assets.
 

     The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (January 10) released Aircraft Accident Preliminary Report 1/2019 in relation to an Air Canada Boeing 777-333ER aircraft (registration mark C-FITW). The underside of the rear fuselage had made contact with the runway surface during a hard landing on runway 07R at Hong Kong International Airport on December 11, 2018.
      
     A spokesperson for the AAIA said that the preliminary report contains information relating to the accident collected up to the time of issue, and must be regarded as tentative.
      
     "The AAIA will continue to collect and study all relevant information in order to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident. More in-depth investigation and analysis have to be conducted before any conclusion can be drawn," the spokesperson said.
      
     The full Aircraft Accident Preliminary Report 1/2019 is available for download from the AAIA webpage (www.thb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.htm).

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 4.1 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $730,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on January 7.

     Customs officers inspected two parcels arriving in Hong Kong from Canada on January 7 and seized about 2.1kg and 2kg of suspected cannabis buds inside the parcels.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (January 9) arrested two men in Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun, aged 34 and 47 respectively, suspected to be in connection with the case.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Customs also reminds that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold the exhibition "Traversing the Forbidden City – Architecture and Craftsmanship" from tomorrow (January 11) at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. The exhibition will feature 18 sets of exhibits, including architectural models, models of dougong (bracket sets) and replicas of ornaments on roof ridges and polychrome paintings, enabling visitors to learn about the rich cultural heritage and remarkable architectural concept of the Forbidden City.
      
     Focusing on the architecture and craftsmanship of the Forbidden City, the exhibition will introduce the origin, planning and architectural features of this palace, as well as highlight the most exceptional building in the palace – the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
      
     Highlight exhibits include a model of a seven-tier liujing dougong (lever bracket set) from the Ming dynasty; a model of a one-petal arm, one-cantilever and five-tier pingshenke dougong (bracket set between columns) from the Qing dynasty; "gold tile" (modern work), a type of square floor tile in the Forbidden City; and replicas of the polychrome painting bearing patterns of dragons on the ceiling of the Gate of Heavenly Purity and the ornaments on the roof ridge of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
      
     The Forbidden City was the residence and court of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Located on the central axis of Beijing, this imperial palace has been witnessing the changes of time across almost six centuries. It is the world's largest and most well-preserved wooden palace complex.
      
     In addition, the exhibition will also feature the style and characteristics of Chinese buildings in Hong Kong, including the Tang Ancestral Hall at Ping Shan in Yuen Long, Tai Fu Tai and King Yin Lei, to help visitors understand the importance of conserving historic buildings.
      
     The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Admission is free and the exhibition will run until April 7. The exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Palace Museum. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at www.amo.gov.hk/en/whatsnew_20190108.php, or call 2601 7368.